Down a Country Lane

Recently I was lucky enough to be given this old embroidered picture. It was worked by a relative of mine sometime in the early 1960's. The image would have been ironed onto the fabric from an embroidery transfer, as was usual at that time.
The stitching may have been slightly squashed by the glass, but I don't think that detracts from the picture.

At first glance it seems almost naively done, but if you look at the way the walls and thatching have been filled in with solid stitching, I think that shows real skill.

And just look at the flowers!

I think it's a lovely vintage piece, and the family connection makes it extra special.

These are my pink and brown blocks so far:

Really it's pink, brown and cream/beige. I've also put in some pale yellow to "act" as cream. The pattern I'm using is called Tintype by Liberty Star. It won't be very big, only 30 x 40 inches. A nice size for what is really an exercise in colour. These will be 5 inch blocks.

The weather has been a lot cooler here in the last couple of weeks. I like that sense of a new start that comes in September, and it's so nice to wear something cosy and be comfortable.

This creeper grows up the front of our house. We have to cut it back to some extent every year, so it doesn't get too high and start growing on the roof. In September before the leaves fall, the colour changes from green to bright pinky-red.

Thinking Small

I do find myself drawn to small quilts lately. This one is only 9 inches square.
I thought about hand-quilting it but I find it difficult to hand-quilt through a lot of intersecting seams, so I just machined it. I think the diagonal lines complement the patchwork.
When it was finished I realised I'd put two of the same blue spot print close together, but never mind. Too late now! The pattern is from Small Quilts for Framing by Jo Morton. I'm not planning to frame it though.

It's just right for some very small people to sit on.
Say cheese!


These are a few of many I made for my two girls in years past. The bunny on the left is a bit more recent. The patterns were by various designers but I think most of these were by Farmyard Creations.

Here are some pictures from my rain-soaked garden this morning.

Have a great weekend:)

Pink and Brown

I've been thinking for a while now about making a quilt in predominantly pinks and browns. These are my fabrics sorted into lights and darks, with a few mediums thrown in on either side. Actually I think I've got more browns than pinks.
I also like the idea of a blue and brown quilt.

On a different subject, I've seen the book Sew Pretty Homestyle on a number of blogs recently, and I decided it was a necessary addition to my library. It's beautifully photographed and has some very pretty ideas.
I wanted to try out the fabric rose pictured on the cover, and wondered if it would work in wool felt. Here it is on my denim jacket.

I shortened the pattern for the small rose by a couple of inches so it would fit on my piece of felt, then gathered and rolled it according to the instructions. The petals are folded back to give a softer look. I held a steam iron close to it for a few minutes, without letting the iron touch the felt. I don't know if this will help set the folds, but that was the idea:)
I pinked the edges of my leaves so they would be serrated like a real rose.

Folk Hearts

I went to a quilt show this morning, but it was so unimpressive that I'm back already. The Harrogate show is easy for me to get to, only a 40-minute drive, and the Harrogate area is very pleasant, but I have to say I thought the show was rubbish. (That is in no way any reflection on the individual quilts on display.) A few years ago it always seemed really good, but now sadly it does not justify the £8 entrance fee.

The photo is my finished Welcoming Heart pillow. This is my version of it. On the original pattern the heart applique is a pocket for dried flowers, and it's intended to hang. Mine is all flat applique and will be a cushion (as long as no-one actually sits on it and squashes it, lol).

I made this pincushion using a pattern from the same book:

I added some buttons to mine. It was quick to make and I was pleased with the way it turned out. The centre heart is from a piece of hand-dyed cotton velvet I bought at a general needlecraft show a few years ago. I knew it would come in useful one day!